Thimble-forming machine.



No 843,000. PATENTED FEB. 5, 190:7. P. A. CHRISTENSEN, w. BOTT & E. H. WILBUR.

THIMBLE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY23, 1906.

7 J7. M5 Em MN R THE mmms PETERS c0. WASHINGTON, 04 c,

No. 843,000. PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907. F. A. CHRISTENSEN, AJW. BOTT & E. H. WILBUR.

THIMBLE FORMING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, 1906 Wm ,u e In w oa W v ig PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

- F. A. CHRISTENSEN, A. W. BOTT & B. H. WILBUR.

THIMBLE FORMING MACHINE.

.7 APPLICATION FILED JUIiY 23, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M m w PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

F. A. GHRISTENSEN, A. W. BOTT & E. H. WILBUR. THIMBLE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION PI 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

MINI

. uHI

DNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK A. CHRISTENSEN, ANDREW W. BOTT, AND EDWIN H. WILBUR,

OF PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNORS TO THE THOMAS LAUGHLIN COM- PANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

THINIBLE-FORIVIING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

Application filed July 23, 1906. Serial No. 327,345.

T [t7] whmn it may concern:

Be it known that we, FREDERICK A. Crims- TENsEN and ANDREW W. BoTT, both citi- Zens of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, and EDWIN H. WILBUR, a subject of the Kingdom of Great Britain, residing in the United States, at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have into vented certain new and useful Improvements in Thimble Forming Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in thimble-forming machines, and has for its primary object the provision of a machine of this character which will be simple in construction, durable, and easily and speedily 2o operated.

The invention comprehends a machine provided with a core member and complemen tary outside forming members adapted to bend a strip or bar of metal into the desired thimble configuration therebetween, and more specifically a core member of separable sections and pivotally-mounted outside members adapted to open and close upon the core member, the direction of opening of said outside members being in a plane at right angles to the direction of separation of the said separable core member.

The invention also embraces means for automatically opening and closing the sepa- 3 5 rable core and outside forming members,-

also means for ejecting the completed thimbles from the core member.

The invention also includes in combination thimble-forming instrumentalities and 0 means whereby the machine may be continuously operated and blanks automatically fed to said forming instrumentalities.

All of the foregoing, as well as other novel features of the machine, especially the de- 4 5 tails of construction and arrangement of the several parts, will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter contained when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, and wherein a 52 convenient embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

. tion.

ber in a vertical direction.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan View of'the machine. Fig. 1" is a detail of the actuating means. Fig. 2 is a side eleva- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 90 0c of Fig. 1, the parts being shown in open position. Fig. 4 is a similar view, the parts being shown in closed position. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line y y of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the article formed by the machine. I

Referring more specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to corresponding parts in the several views, A designates a supporting base or frame, which may be of any suitable desi 11, provided with an open central portion B for a purpose as will presently appear.

C is a slidable carrier mounted within the open central portion B, provided with flanges D, underlying the side portions of the frame A, and flanges E, overlying the same, whereby to maintain the carrier in horizontal position while permitting the same to be reciprocated back and forth within said open central portion, the said side portions of the frame constituting guides for this carrier.

Projecting forwardly from the carrier C is one member of the forming mechanismin this instance the core memberwhich, as hereinbefore suggested, is composed of separable sections, F representing the bottom section of the same, which is rigidly secured to the carrier C, and G the upper section thereof, which is pivotally secured at its rear end, as indicated at H, to said carrier, whereby to swing and open or close the core mem- Of course the shape of this core member ismade complementary to the interior contour of the article to be formed, that shown being pear-shaped with slightly-concaved flanges f g, whereby to form a thimble with convexed inner surface 7 and grooved or concaved outer surface 8, as shown in Fig. 6.

I and J are oppositely-disposed forming members or j aws each pivotally mounted on the forward portion of the frame A, as at K, to approach or recede from each other in a horizontal direction in the same plane as that occupied by the core member, the inner surfaces of these forming members or jaws being ribbed, as at i j, and formed complementary to the core member, as will be clear from the drawings. The forming members I J, just referred to, are adapted to be held in separated or open position through the medium of a contracting coiled spring L, secured to the outer ends of said jaws. To force the said forming members or jaws toward each other, whereby to embrace the core member to form the article therebetween, I provide oppositely-disposed levers N and O, pivoted at P intermediate their ends to the base A, whereby to engage at their forward ends m o with the inner ends of the jaw members and at their rear ends to be engaged by and ride upon beveled surfaces 6 on the flanges E of the carrier 0, antifriction-rollers Q being afforded for this purpose. It will be noted that the beveling of the edges of the flanges E as just described converts the upper portion of the carrierC into a wedge pointing forwardly, which when forced between the rear ends of the levers N O incident to the forward movements of the carrier toward and into the core member will spread said' rear ends of the levers and correspondingly force inwardly the forward ends n 0 thereof into engagement with the inner ends of the jaw members I J, whereby to compress or close said jaw members against the tension of the spring L upon the core member, which latter during the cycle of movement has entered into proper posi' tion between said jaws. Blocks R on the base A constitute abutments limiting the movement of the levers N and O, so that their rear ends will always be in position to be engaged by the wedge of the carrier.

On the upper section G, I provide a rigid depending tailpiece S, adapted in the rear movement of the carrier to come in contact with a trip T, arranged transversely on the bottom of the frame or base A, to elevate the said upper section of the separable core member to permit the ejectment of a completed article by means of the devices now to be pointed out.

U is the ejecting element, which is preferably a wire yoke offset forwardly at its lower end, as at u, to pass through the separable core member near the rear end thereof, said yoke being pivoted at its upper end in brackets V, secured to the upper surface of the car rier C, whereby to normally freely suspend therefrom, and having an extension WV projecting upwardly through the space intermediate the brackets V, whereby a lever is formed of the ejector. To operate this lever. to eject the article from the core member, an arm X is projected upwardly from the upper section G of the core member into such a position that when the tailpiece S contacts with the trip T during the rearward movement of the carrier the arm Xwill engage the upper end W of the lever-ejector to throw the lower end or yoke portion thereof forwardly and force the article out of the separable core, when said article may drop through the open space B, which is now unobstructed, intermediate the core member and the jaw members I and J. When the carrier starts on its return movement in a forward direction and the tailpiece S recedes from the trip T, springs Y and Z engaging the arm X will force said arm forwardly and close down the upper section G of the core member, permitting the lever-ejector to swing to its initial position by force of gravity, it being observed that the springs Y and Z were previously compressed incident to the rearward movement of the arm X upon opening of the upper section of the core member.

9 is a cover-plate for the jaws I and J and associated mechanism removably secured through the medium of bolts 10 to the blocks R, and upon this cover-plate I mount a hopper 11, opening to an elongated transverselydisposed slot 12, passing through the coverplate on a line directly above the entrance for the core member between said jaws, said slot being designed to guide the bars of metal placed in the hopper, and which are preferably previously heated to the desired degree for bending to secure the best results, to a position resting upon the base A and across said entrance between the jaws to be engaged by the core member in its forward movement and by said jaws in their closing movement upon the core. Weighted gravity-retainers 13, one at each side of the open space E and near the ends of the slot 12, are pivotally suspended from the edge of the cover-plate 9, whereby to hold the bar of metal in proper position and against any tendency to tilt away from the jaws, depending lugs 14 on the coverplate at the ends of the slot 12 preventing the bars from longitudinal or endwise displacement.

Any convenient mechanism may be provided to effect the desired reciprocation of the carrier 0 and the parts carried thereby, that shown comprising a link 15, engaging an eccentric 16, fixed to the shaft 17 of a drivinggear 18, driven from any convenient source of power.

While I have herein referred to the formation of thimbles, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the machine with slight or no changes within the spirit of the invention is susceptible of other uses.

I claim 1. In a machine of the character described, a separable core member, complementary outside forming members, means for actuating the parts to cause the outside forming members to embrace the core member to shape the material therebetween, and means for automatically opening the core.

2. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member into position between or away from said outside forming members, and means controlled by said shifting means for forcing said outside forming members into engagement with the core member to form the material therebetwecn including pivoted levers 'mounted independently of said forming members engaging said forming members, and a Wedge on the carrier. adapted to engage said levers to force the forming members into operating engagement with the core member.

3. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside form ing members, means for shifting the core member into position between or away from said outside forming members, means controlled by said shifting means for forcing said outside forming members into engagement with the core member to form the material therebetween including pivoted levers mounted independently of said forming members engaging said forming members, a wedge on the carrier adapted to engage said levers to force the forming members into operating engagement with the core member, and

means for normally opening the forming members.

4. In a machine of the character described, a co e member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member to aposition between or away from said forming members, means for causing the forming members to engage the core 'member to bend the material therebetween, means for feeding the blank to be bent comprising a guide for delivering the same at a point in advance of the entrance to the forming memers, and means for preventing displacement of the blank in a direction away from the forming members comprising retainers adapted to engage the side of the blank opposite to that which faces the forming members.

5. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member to a position between or away from said forming members, means for causing the forming members to engage the core member to bend the material therebetween, means for feeding the blank to be bent comprising a guide for delivering the same at a point in advance of the entrance to the forming mem bers, and means for preventing displacement of the blank in a direction away from the forming members, comprising freely-swinging gravity-retainers adapted to'engage the side of the blank opposite to that which faces the forming members.

6. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member to a position between or away from said forming members, means for causing the forming members to engage the core member to bend the material therebetween, means for feeding the blank to be bent comprising a guide for delivering the same at a point in advance of the entrance to the forming members, and instrumentalities for preventing displacement of the blank in a direction away from the forming members or in a direction longitudinal of the blank, comprising freelyswinging gravity-retainers adapted to engage the side of the blank opposite to that which faces the forming members, and lugs depending from the ends of the guide adapted to abut the ends of the blank.

7. In a machine of the character described, a core member of separable sections, complementary outside forming members adapted toopen and close upon the core member, the direction of opening of said outside members being in a plane at right angles to the direction of separation of said separable core member, and means for automatically open ing said core member after the forming oper ation.

8. In a machine of the character described, a core member of separable pivoted sections, complementary pivoted outside forming members adapted to open and close upon the core member, the direction of opening of said outside members being in a plane at right angles to the direction of separation of the said separable core member, and means for automatically opening said core member after the forming operation.

9. In a machine of the character described, a core member of separable sections, complementary outside forming members, and means for automatically opening and closing the sections of the core member and the outside forming members.

10. In a machine of the character described, a horizontally-disposed core member, complementary outside forming instrumentalities for bending material around the core member, means for actuating said forming instrumentalities, and means for ejecting the completed article from the core member including a kicker, and means for actuating the kicker whereby in its ejecting movement it moves in part upwardly from the horizontal plane of the core member to throw the article upwardly off from the core member.

11. In a machine of the character described, a core member of separable sections, complementary outside forming members, means for opening and closing said core-sections and outside forming members, and

means for ejecting the completed article from the core when opened.

12. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for forcing the forming members into engagement with the core member, and. means for actuating the core member to shirt the same to a position between or away from the forming members, means for feeding the blank to a position between the core member and forming members, when separated, and means for ejecting the completed article from the core member, comprising a kicker at the rear of the core member arranged to engage the article thereon, and means for actuating the same to throw the article upwardly and oil from said core member, whereby the machine may be continuously operated.

13. In a machine of the character described, a core member having a hinged section, complementary forming members adapted to engage the core member, means for actuating said forming members, and means for automatically opening the hinged section of the core member to permit extraction of the completed article when the forming members are open.

14. In a machine of the character described, a core member having a hinged section, complementary forming members adapted to engage the core member, means for actuating said forming members, and means for opening the hinged section of the core member to permit extraction of the com pleted article when the forming members are open, in combination with an ejector and means for automatically operating the same when said hinged section is opened.

15. In a machine of the character described, a core member having a hinged section, complementary forming members adapted to engage the core member, means for actuating said forming members, nd means for opening the hinged section of the core member to permit extraction of the completed article when the forming memhere are open, in combination witl an ejector, means for automatically ope: ing the same when said hinged section is opened, and means for automatically. resto ing the parts to their normal or iniiial position.

16. In machine oi the character described, forming mechanism includin a core member of separable sections, an ejector operatively associated therewith, and means for opening said core member and operating said ejector.

17. In a machine of the cha acter described, forming mechanism including a core member having a pivoted section, an ecto. operatively associated with said core memher, and means for opening said hinged section of the core member and for operating said ejector.

18. In a machine oi the character described, forming mechanism including a core member having a pivoted section, an ejector operativel associated with said core member, and means for opening said hinged section oi the core member and for operating said ejector, comprising a tailpiece on said hinged section, a trip therefor, and an arm on said hinged section adapted to engage the ejector.

19. In a machine of the character described, forming mechanism including a core member having a pivoted section, an ejector operativel associated with said core member, and means for opening said hinged section of the core member and for operating said ejector, comprising a tailpiece 011 said hinged section, a trip therefor, and an arm on said hinged section adapted to engage the ejector, and means for restoring the parts to their initial or normal position.

20. In a machine for forming thimbles, a core member of separable sections, complementary forming members, a carrier for shifting the core member to a position between or away from the formin members, means for discharging a blank at a point in advance oi the forming members, means operativel associated with the carrier for causing the forming members to engage the core member when the latter occupies a position between the former, an ejector operatively associated with the core member, and instrumentalities for opening the core member and for operating said ejector upon withdrawal of the core member from the forming memb rs.

, 21. In a machine for forming thimbles, a core member having a hinged section, complemenery forming members, a carrier for shifting the core member to a position between or RWitj/ from the forming members, means for discharging a blank at a point in advance of the forming members, means operativel associ red with the carrier for causing the forming members to engage the core member when the latter occupies a position between the former, an ejector operativel associ ed with the core member, and instrumenta es for opening the hinged section of the core member and for operating said ejector upon withdrawal of the core member from 1e forming members.

22. In machine of the character described, forming mechanism including a core member of separable sections, and means for automaticall opening said core member after the forming operation.

23. In a machine oi the character described, forming mechanism including a shiftable core member, means carried by ITO III 0 843,COO

said core member for ejecting an article from the core; and means for actuating the ejecting means by the movement of the core member.

24. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member into a position between or away from said forming members, means for causing the forming members to engage the core member to bend the material therebetween, and means for maintaining a blank in place at a point in advance of the entrance to the forming members com prising movablj} mounted retainers adapted to engage the side of the blank opposite to that which faces the forming members.

25. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member into a position between or away from said forming members, means for causing the forming members to engage the core member to bend the material therebetween, and means for maintaining a blank in place at a point in advance of the entrance to the forming members comprising yieldable retainers adapted to engage the side of the blank opposite to that which faces the forming members.

26. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member into position between or away from said outside forming members, and means for forcing said outside forming members into engagement with the core member to form the material therebetween including pivoted levers mounted independently of said forming members engaging said forming members, and means movable independently of and arranged to engage said levers to force the forming members into engagement with the core member.

27. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary pivotally-mounted outside forming members, means for shifting the core member into position between or away from said outside forming members, and means for forcing said outside forming members into engagement with the core member to form the material therebetween including pivoted levers mounted independently of said forming members en-- gaging said forming members, and means movable independently of and arranged to engage said levers to force the forming members into engagement with the core member.

28. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member mto positlon between or away from said outside forming members, and

means for forcing said outside forming members into engagement with the core member to form the material therebetween including pivoted levers mounted independently of said forming members engaging said forming members, and means movable independently of and arranged to engage said levers to force the forming members into engagement with the core member, in combination with a sin gle means for automatically opening said forming members and their actuating-levers.

29. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary pivotally-mounted outside forming members, means for shifting the core member into posi tion between or away from said outside forming members, and means for forcing said outside forming members into engagement with the core member to form the material therebetween including pivoted levers mounted independently of said forming members engaging said forming members, and means movable independently of and arranged to engage said levers to force the forming mem bers into engagement with the core member, in combination with a spring connecting the pivotally-mounted forming members for automatically opening the same and their actuating-levers.

30. In a machine of the character de scribed, a supporting-frame, forming members pivotally mounted on said frame, a core member, a carrier and means operatively associated therewith for shifting the core member into a position between or away from the forming members, levers also pivotally mounted upon said frame adapted to engage the forming members at one end, and inclinedportions on the said carrier adapted to engage the opposite ends of the levers to force the forming members upon the core member when the latter is therewithin.

31. In a machine of the character described, a supporting-frarne, forming mem bers ivotally mounted on said frame, a core member, a carrier and means operatively associated therewith for shifting the core member into a position between or away from the forming members, levers also pivotally mounted upon said frame adapted to engage the forming members at one end, and

inclined portions on the said carrier adapted to engage the opposite ends of the levers to force the forming members upon the core member when the latter is therewithin, in combination with means for o ening the forming members and actuating-l vers when the core is withdrawn irom the forming members.

32. In a machine of the character described, a core member, complementary outside forming members, means for shifting the core member into a position between or away from said forming members, means for causing the forming members to engage the core member to bend the material therebetween, a frame or base member uponwhich a blank may rest, and means for maintaining the blank in place at a point in advance of the entrance to the iorming members comprising retaining instrumentalities adapted to engage the side of the blank opposite to l \Vitnesses:

ber being formed with a way through which the blanks may be inserted.

In testimony whereof we afliX our signatures in presence 01 two witnesses.

FREDERICK A. CHRISTENSEN. ANDREW W. BOT'J. EDWIN H. WILBUR.

that which faces the forming members, the ROBERT T. LAUGHLIN, frame of the machine opposite the base mem GEO. B. BOUTWELL. 

